Trace

I havent been keeping up with champs at all. Is Trace actually good and possible contenders for the chip or are they just well prepped for their group?

They're a very default-heavy CN team (unheard of), they have incredible macro, and they're really good at arguably the three most popular maps in the pool (undefeated on Ascent this year, had a flawless Lotus this past split, and their Bind is also very very good). They've somehow only been tested on 3 different maps in 6 maps played, but in those 6 maps they looked like they knew what they were doing. Definitely deserved to win their group, but I'm not sure if they'll make it too far just yet.

no not really just played decent against vit which were shaky and lev who cant perform on a LAN no matter the roster. VIT looks good now and would win the rematch and not sure about LEV.

cloudberry [#2]

They're a very default-heavy CN team (unheard of), they have incredible macro, and they're really good at arguably the three most popular maps in the pool (undefeated on Ascent this year, had a flawless Lotus this past split, and their Bind is also very very good). They've somehow only been tested on 3 different maps in 6 maps played, but in those 6 maps they looked like they knew what they were doing. Definitely deserved to win their group, but I'm not sure if they'll make it too far just yet.

Sadly Trace will fall short in playoffs finishing their run at 7-8th. Their play just seems too predictable and a good coach/IGL will be able to easily read and anti strat them. The only problem is Kai and FengF but if a team like Sentinels who are really good at shutting down certain players then Trace's road will come to an end. Quite Unfortunate.